Category Archives: BMW

BMW has revealed the i8 in production for the first time at IAA in Frankfurt, the 1,490 kg (3,284 lbs) plug-in hybrid adopts a 2+2 configuration and boasts a carbon fiber reinforced plastic passenger cell and an aluminium frame for the combustion engine and electric motor, the battery pack and the suspension.

The doors are made up of a CFRP inner structure and an aluminium outer skin and weigh 50 per cent less than a conventional construction. The intelligent construction of the magnesium instrument panel support brings a weight saving of around 30 per cent compared with the BMW 6 Series, for example. In addition, the high structural rigidity of the magnesium support structure The revolutionary character of the BMW i8 is emphasised by a further innovation: the use of an internal combustion engine which is making its debut in this model.

The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine.

This highly turbocharged unit is equipped with latest-generation BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. It is exceptionally compact and develops maximum power of 170 kW/231 hp from its 1.5-litre displacement. The resulting specific output of 113 kW/154 hp per litre of displacement is on a par with high-performance sports car engines and is the highest of any engine produced by the BMW Group.

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Four years have passed since its reveal at the 2009 Frankfurt Motoshow, Rolls Royce have decided its time for a mild facelift to its current Ghost.

Well here it is and in a state of low camouflage, we can see clearly the headlight units are all new and the front bumper has some minor changes making it look more like the recently revealed Wraith in styling.

The Black Falcon team of Bernd Schneider, Sean Edward/Jeroen Bleekemolen/Nicki Thiim have won the 2013 Nurburgring 24 Hours with a incredibly tight margin of two minutes 39 seconds. It was the first ever win at the event for Mercedes after many races at the VLN improved the handling on the infamous circuit.

Heavy rain forced race control during the night to interrupt the race for more than nine hours. Numerous accidents caused a treacherous mix of oil, mud and rain water on the track.

Coming in second place was the BMW Z4 GT3 Driven by Maxime Martin (BE) who brought the number 25 BMW Sports Trophy Team car home. As well as Martin, Yelmer Buurman (NL), Andrea Piccini (IT) and Richard Göransson (SE) were also in action over the course of the eventful race.

Sometimes it’s time to leave the city. Escape the restrictions of everyday life. Yes you guessed it the flagship I8 is lapping the Nordschleife.

After successful initial testing of the vehicle concept, the decision for a series production vehicle was quickly made. The BMW i8 Concept is the next step in the evolution of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.

And now it looks like BMW I8 is looking close to completion, the I8’s plug-in hybrid concept combines the modified electric propulsion system from the BMW i3 Concept – fitted over its front axle – with a high-performance three cylinder combustion engine producing 164 kW/220 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear.Continue reading BMW I8 – Zaps the Nordschleife (Spyshots)→

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What looks like a normal BMW X1 on these photos is actually an all electric X1. As we can see its been given away by the lack of exhaust pipes and of course the Hybrid stickers.

To be really sure we waited for it to leave and there was absolutely no doubt about this being a fully electric vehicle.

So will BMW bring an EV version of the current X1 or are they already testing the technology for the next generation X1 or perhaps they are just testing range of the unit with different tyres and chassis weight?Continue reading Fully Electric BMW X1 – Spied!→